Fat Transfer

Fat Transfer Information

Although the first fat transfer was performed more than a century ago, this procedure has only recently become popular. It’s used mainly in facial rejuvenation, the improvement of localised soft-tissue defects (after an injury, for example), or following the removal of a tumour.

Subcutaneous fat is lost as we age, especially in the face, so a fat transfer can add youthful plumpness with the minimum of risk. It lasts for quite a long time too and is easy to “top up” in the future.

Who would benefit from fat injections?

Anyone who feels that their breasts, face, or buttocks need a bit more volume will benefit. The abdomen, hips, thighs and buttocks are good regions to “harvest” the fat from.

At Cosmetic Surgery Partners, we often use fat transfers in facelifts, for local treatments to small regions of the face or hands, in the lips, and in the cheeks. Fat transfers are also useful to rebuild the chest wall after cancer treatment. Fat transfers can also be used during breast augmentation, although it can’t be used for large changes in volume.

You’ll need to be in good overall health to undergo a fat transfer. This procedure is gaining in popularity, though, as it’s safe and effective. As the fat is removed from the patient’s own body there’s much less risk of rejection or infection. Of course the injected fat needs to adopt a new blood supply, but if this happens, it’s pretty much permanent, which is much better than the temporary effects of artificial dermal fillers.

Why book with Cosmetic Surgery Partners?

Here at Cosmetic Surgery partners we’re very experienced and have performed hundreds of successful fat transfer procedures. Call us on 02074 866778 to discuss the procedure in more detail or to arrange a consultation with one of our practitioners. Your consultation will take into account your aims and your anatomy (everyone is different) so that we can work out a treatment plan that’s totally right for you.

The Procedure

A fat transfer is usually performed under a local anaesthetic, with patients going home on the same day. Your surgeon will ask about your general health, habits and medication, as well as explain how the process works.

Recovery

At first it may seem like the area has been over-filled, but this is to compensate for the loss of fat that follows in the long term. Recovery tends to be rapid, with you being able to resume normal activities within 48 hours.

Complications

A lot of injected fat is lost over the subsequent year, with as much as 40 per cent being reabsorbed by the body. This makes top-ups necessary, especially in body areas that move a lot. There’s always the potential for lumps to develop in thin-skinned areas like the backs of hands and the lower eyelids.